This module aims to equip students with the advanced knowledge and practical skills required to undertake comprehensive health assessments and clinical examinations across a wide range of healthcare settings. Students will develop the ability to recognise key diagnostic indicators and interpret clinical findings to support safe, effective, and person-centred care.

Learning is delivered through combining classroom teaching with interactive practical learning. Students will also benefit from group sessions designed to support the development of both theoretical understanding and clinical competence.

The module will cover:

-Advanced history taking
-Person centred care
-Anatomy & physiology that informs clinical examination
-Clinical examination of the main body systems including: respiratory, cardiovascular, neuro, abdominal, HEENT and musculoskeletal systems
-Abnormal findings and diagnostic indicators
-Documentation of advanced assessment & examination

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Successful students will typically...
-Have an advanced understanding of the characteristics of patient/practitioner interactions and complex clinical situations.
-Have a critical awareness of the anatomical & physiological foundations that informs clinical examination.
-Develop clinical reasoning skills to recognise and synthesise subjective and objective health data to analyse the findings, identify red flags and explore differential diagnosis.

Intellectual, practical and transferrable skills

Successful students will typically...
-Demonstrate a systematic and comprehensive clinical examination using the four basic modalities of examination: inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation and the demonstration of special tests.
-Evaluate and maintain capabilities to support effective communication in a range of complex and specialised contexts.
-Apply clinical reasoning skills to examination findings to identify differential diagnoses.

Number of Learner Hours: 

1.    Scheduled - 46

2.    Independent - 104

3.    Placement/work-based learning - 0

Assessment
Summative assessment: The student's ability will be tested to undertake a comprehensive simulated physical examination using a variety of technological tools, for example, video, narrative presentations, OSCE or online viva/professional conversations.

Formative assessment: This will support the student's skills development and confidence in preparation for the summative assessment through guided practice and feedback.

What our students say:

“I have enjoyed every session & feel fully supported.”

“The lectures were all interactive and gave us chances to express our thoughts and experiences as well.”

“All the sessions have been very helpful”

“Really good and interesting lectures”

This module can contribute to the following programme(s)

HHCONMSC: MSc Contemporary Nursing

HSACPM: MSc Advanced Clinical Practice

HSAPPM: MSc Advanced Paramedic Practice

HSMIRSM: MSc Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences: Medical Ultrasound

HSMIRSM: MSc Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences: Clinical Radiographic Reporting

HSMIRSM: MSc Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences – Advanced Radiotherapy and Oncology Practice

HMAPHYMSC: MSc Advanced Physiotherapy

HMAPPMSC: MSc Advanced Paramedic Practice

HMAPPEMSC: MSc Advanced Paramedic Practice (Emergency & Critical Care)

HMAPPUMSC: MSc Advanced Paramedic Practice (Primary & Urgent Care)